Desperate sanctions petitioners invade schools

BULAWAYO - Desperate Zanu (PF) anti-sanctions campaigners have invaded schools countrywide, forcing teachers and young children to sign up or face death, the Zimbabwean has established. (Pictured: Raymond Majongwe)

While they are at it, the Zanu (PF) hoodlums leading the campaign are demanding $2 from every teacher and $5 from each headmaster, claiming this is for Independence Day celebrations. Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) Secretary-General Raymond Majongwe confirmed the developments in an interview with this newspaper.

“We have received reports that some headmasters are giving (petition) forms to pupils to sign. In some cases, these people take over classrooms for the community to sign,” Majongwe said. At Gresham Primary School in Zvishavane last week, pupils were seen by this reporter learning under trees on a blistering hot day after the petitioners invaded their classrooms. Majongwe said this was happening throughout the country.

While condemning the action, the union said it was advising teachers not to resist the petitioners’ demands as that could expose them to violence. The union boss also confirmed that war veterans continued to invade schools demanding to force-feed pupils with Zanu (PF)’s skewed version of Zimbabwean history, while teachers continued to be evicted. Majongwe said frantic efforts were being made to assist affected teachers to return to their schools.

“We have areas where teachers ran away. We’ve taken some of those teachers back,” he said, citing the example of Mt Darwin where scores of teachers were ejected last year. “W went to the political structures and pleaded with them. we told

them that victimising teachers is tantamount to pauperizing and extending poverty to the community. Where teachers have withdrawn, it has taken long to replace them.” Education Minister David Coltart has banned political meetings in schools but Zanu (PF) has defied his orders.